We've been talking about starting a thread where our Prostaff can post some of their hitlist pics. This should be another fun way to follow along as the season progresses! So, here it is
Thanks Fitz! I'll get it kicked off with a buck we aptly named "The Wide 8". I have a hard time naming 2 year olds namely because I'm not interested in shooting them any more, and who knows if they'll stick around from year to year. So in 2011 when this guy showed up we simply referred to him as the Wide 8. After that we just got lazy and never gave him a proper name. Last year he made the Hit List. I had one encounter with him in late October but something spooked him about 15 yards before I could get a shot off. I had the camera rolling, my released clipped on and it was go time. Just before he cleared the last branch between him and I he stopped, picked his head up, looked past my stand (I don't think he winded or saw me) and took off the other direction. That was the only time I saw him while hunting, but I did see him while patrolling the property a few times during late season. Here in 2013 he's pretty close to the top of the list on this particular farm. There's 1 or 2 other bucks I'd also like to shoot but The Wide 8 seems to be the resident homebody so if he shows his face he's getting a Killzone headed his direction.
The next guy I call The Fridge. He first showed up in 2011 as a spindly 10 pointer. From his body size I figured him at a 3 year old with poor genetics. He showed up in mid October and disappeared in mid November. Last year I didn't have any velvet photos of him at all, but come October he showed up again. He was all over the farm starting in early October. On the evening of 10/26 he popped out of a bedding area and gave me a perfect 25 yard quartering-away shot. In my nervous anticipation of getting it all on film not only did I forget to hit the record button the camera, but I yanked the shot left and hit him high in front of the shoulder. The following morning Mike and I tracked him for 1.5 miles before finally losing blood. A week later he showed up again working scrapes like nothing ever happened. I got a series of photos/videos on 11/2 and 11/3 and that was it. After that he disappeared. I'm not sure if he died of infection (never found him during shed season), moved on to another farm, got smacked by a car, killed by another hunter, etc. He's "technically" still on the list even though I'm not sure if he's around or not. If he doesn't show up by early November he'll probably get dropped.
Two great deer and great stories.... ok not such a great story on the second buck but unfortunately it happens.
I'm just going to post pics for now cuz if I told a story for every shooter I have a pic of it would take up 20 pages. Sorry Justin. Lol Tyler Rector BHOD prostaff
All 8 of these bucks are on a new 275 acre lease we just got in June. No history with these deer yet, but I hope to make their acquaintance come October.
alright guys were gonna start it off with a buck we call heavy hitter. He's on our new lease in N/W illinois. Can't wait to see this guy hard horned.
